Distracted needed please - very, very stressed

So sorry to hear this Fanny Cornforth. I hope your husband recovers soon. I find going through all the packets of photos that I've not (yet!) put into albums a very pleasurable way to spend a few hours. Also, I'm a big fan of a walk outside, especially on a lovely day like today. Hope all goes well.

So sorry for your trouble, Fanny Cornforth. My usual distraction is retail therapy, and as all the shops are closed, that one is out! It's just not the same online, unfortunately. I listen to audible books at night as I don't sleep very well. I would recommend The Cazalet series by Elizabeth Jane Howard, and at present I am reading Jojo Moyes' latest and I think her best book, The Giver of Stars, and can't put it down.

I've been distracting myself from boredom this year by doing painting by numbers for adults. Nothing like it was when I last did this in my teens! Look on Amazon and see what you think of the choice. I have the radio on while I do it, and become completely absorbed.

I hope you have good news about your husband very soon.

FannyCornforth
You have all my sympathy Hope your husband is given a proper diagnosis quickly and treated.
I suffer from spinal stenosis as well it’s very painful and debilitating I take a cocktail of strong pain killers but they never depress the pain enough.

I was offered pain relief injections and they have saved my life
I get them twice a year “can’t have more than that as there are a great number of patients wanting them”

ask your doctor to refer to to a Pain Clinic most hospitals have them, the consultants are very sympathetic if you get offered the injections please try them the pain relief doesn’t last very long but I am grateful for the time the pain is eased.

Really hope things buck up for you soon.?

I would have said go for a long walk but as you are shielding you are maybe not able to do that.

Make some pies or casseroles etc. Portion up what you make to fill the freezer. Freezer too full well defrost some of the older stuff and replace with the newly made, dated and labelled accordingly.

Clean the fridge out while you are on. Think you'll definitely be ready for a cup of tea and feet up then.

Keeping your hands and mind busy are the most important things.

Big hugs x

Hi fanny
So sorry I hope he is well soon
I have re discovered my love of jigsaw puzzles the harder and more peices the better and so easy to become absorbed in for a couple of hours distraction set up in a space where you can leave intact and keep going back to it
Also can’t beat fresh air even if just your own garden listen to the birds, the neighbours children etc and just breath it all in
Good luck

Sorry to hear about your husband OP I find lots of interesting things to listen to onBBC Sounds Of course you will be self isolating for a time now since you are a close contact so I hope you have the necessary support to do so There are local groups who will fetch shopping and walk pets but there will also be a local authority telephone number to get any help you need arranged Hugs to you and all good wishes to your husband

Fanny, Marionk, so sorry to hear about your husbands, I hope they both recover soon.

I find magazines are a good distraction, when anxiety means you don't have the concentration for a novel. I particularly like Yours which comes out fortnightly and you can pick it up in the supermarket, or get a friend to pop it through your letterbox if you are isolating.

During the first lockdown I used to sit on the garden bench, reading the articles or completing the puzzles, I found it quite relaxing.
Be kind to yourselves.

Very sorry to hear your husband is ill, and I hope he is better soon.

For distraction, I recommend the Jeeves and Wooster books by P G Wodehouse, read by Martin Jarvis. They're funny and gentle, and Jarvis reads them brilliantly. They're very comforting.

Flopsey I had The Moon's a Balloon many years ago (probably a 1st edition!) but it went out when clearing out before one of our house moves .

Fanny I hope your DH is recovering and you're feeling better today too.

Flopsey ... I've read The Moons a Balloon many years ago. I was as you say very enjoyable.

If you dont mind me asking where did you find it? I should like to revisit it and listening to his voice after all this time would be very nice!

FannyCornforth .... hope you have better news today, and had a restful night.

I don’t have any experience of audio books but didn’t want to pass by without wishing you and Mr C well. Hope you come back with some good news soon.

I managed to download for free two audio books by David Niven, Bring On The Empty Horses “
and ‘ The Moon’s A Balloon’ read by the man himself.
Both very funny, and enjoyable.
It’s lovely seeing so many kind, caring and helpful messages from the Gransnet community at it’s best.

When my mind just won't switch off, I do the Daily Mail quizzes and games on my computer or play Spider Solitaire on it. It's amazing how you can get absorbed. (You have to subscribe to the Mail, but you get the gist of the idea - quizzes and puzzles online!)
I also do lots of online competitions (joined one of those comp websites) - a hobby with benefits (sometimes), that can be done in short (or long) bursts - (I won £250 of clothing this week from Asquith!).

Fanny, I find CBD oil very good for pain and it can be taken with maximum other painkillers and other medication. No side effects. It is legal and is not hallucinogenic. Many sellers. I've used cbd.co.uk/ and you need the 1000 mg one and take maybe 2 or 3 drops at first to see how it works for you. You get less aware of the pain and less stressed by it.

Also audible has books by Georgette Heyer. Do you know her? She writes regency romances and detective books set in more modern times. Pleasant characters and easy listening. There are lots of Agatha Christie on Audible too.

The BBC iplayer has many old programmes. Radio 4 Extra has those too. They make easy listening if you find ones you enjoy. I like the Food Programme and the Kitchen Cabinet.

Very sorry you are having to deal with this, best wishes to both of you.
During the 1st lockdown I listened to some mindfulness/breathing podcasts, they are quite short and very gentle. They are extremely useful when struggling to sleep. Clare Connolly is the girl I recommend, there are many different ones of hers to choose, all free.
Link to one here ... insig.ht/w9NhRi40lbb

Audio books ,I have audible membership.
These two are very good as performed with full cast just like a radio play, Poirot's Finest cases and More of Poirot's Finest cases. Best listen I have had in a long time radio plays being back many happy memories

Best wishes to you and your husband. Be kind to yourself. MC Beaton's books, female character Agatha Raisin, are a very light read and cheering. Classical music on low in the background can lift my mood and Pilates, "The Girl with the Pilates Mat" on You Tube is a useful distraction and gentle exercise at a level to suit you. Hope your husband is better very soon. Xx

So very sorry to hear this. Sending warm hugs.
Perhaps any audio books read by Stephen Fry?

I hope your Husband makes a speedy recovery, while he is doing that, just do things you want to do, or nothing at all.I when bored, look up old songs on you tube and hear the lyrics and join in, most songs are from years ago, but so nice to hear again. A "feel good" book,takes your mind off things, or try something you havent tried before, you may have hidden talents!
Sending hugs.

Sending a virtual hug xxx

Fanny, do you have grandchildren? If so how about writing your life story for them. It doesn't have to be a work of art, just write about your childhood, school, friends, favourite games, how you met their grandad etc. It will bring back lovely memories for you and I'm sure your grandchildren and children would love to read it. You could also add some photos if you have them.

One of the tasks I have set myself this lockdown, is sorting out photographs - I have taken so many!! My aim is to give my DDs the ones that pertain to them. But I am finding I just love reminiscing about the good times we've had, places we've been. If you, like me, have thousands of photos - it's great to take your mind off the situation

If you start reading Three hours by Rosamund Lupton you can’t stop until you get to the end.

I'm sorry to hear Mr Cornforth is ill, hope he makes a good recovery.
So many good ideas on here FannyCornforth I can't really add anything. Hope you feel better soon, keep us updated on what is happening.

Sorry to hear your husband is ill. Sending best wishes.

I have a lot of pain too, and prescribed Amitriptyline which I don't take due to the side effects and weight gain.
I don't know what your health problems are, but I find being outdoors is very therapeutic. A nice walk works wonders for mind and body.
All the very best.